Improvement in braiding-machines



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. v G. F. JAMES Braiding Machine.

No. 197,374 Patented Nov.\20, 1877.

ILPETERS. FHQTO-LITHOGRAPMER. WASHINGTON, D C

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. F. JAMES, Braiding Machine.

No.197,374. Patented Nov. 20, 1877.

N. PETERS. FHOTd-LITHOGRAPNER. WASHINGTON, D C.

GEORGE rREnnRIcK Mata-0t MANcnEsrER, ENGLAND, issmsoa or ONE-HALF.HISRIGHT WALTER TWISS GLOVEB, OF SAME PLAGE.

"IM RoVENI E Nr m BiRAlDING-MACHINES. l

. H Specificationforming part ofLetters Patent No.19j7,374, dated November 20, 1877; application filed June.26,1877; patented in England, June 10, 1875. i

To all who... a my mam description thereof, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and the letters of reference, marked thereon, forming a part of this specification, in whichp Figure 1 is a front elevation Fig. 2, a side elevation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view ofa portion of the hopper and hollow spindle,

showing the relative arrangement of thesame and intermediate parts. Fig. 4 is. a plan view of the adjustable supports for the-hopper and conical tube, and showing the surrounding se ries of perforations. Fig. 5 is a side and plan view of the governors; Fig. 6, a side and plan 1 view of a spindle and its attachments.

In order toenable others to understand my invention, I will first proceed to set forththe previous state of the art pertaining thereto, andv subsequently to describe a machine embodying my improvements.

In machines for making fuses, as heretofore constructed, a vertical hollow central spindle is provided, through which the braided fuse is conveyed, and above which a hopper is arranged, containing the powder or other explosive compound required for filling the braided case. The spout of the hopper is extended within the hollow spindle, and one or more fibrous strands are-drawnthrough the hopper and tubular braid to prevent the spout from clogging, and thereby insure a continuity of the train of powder within the fuse.

The braiding operation is performed by the well-known organization of devices employed in machines for making tubular braid, with the exception thatthe completed article is passed downwardly instead of upwardly as it leaves the machine. q

In such machines the central vertical hollow spindle is surrounded with circular disks, provided with a series of apertures for the passage of the strands, so that their distance apart is regulated and uniformity in the braid secured.

Weights for keeping the strands taut. have also been connected thereto and arranged within the hollow bobbin-spindles, and in such machines the top and bottom governors are connected together, and consequently the number of working-bobbins cannot be changed without the use of .dummies or blank spindles.

My improvements consist in a novel manner of arranging the weights upon the bobbin-spindles, whereby the strands are kept taut.

In-the drawings, A represents the name of themachine, and B the vertical shafts, .provided with spur-pinions no, for conveying motion to the operative parts. O arelthe spindlesfor supporting the bobbins d, which are arranged and operated in the same manner as in the, ordinary circular braiding m'achines. D is the stationary hollow central spindle, through which the braided material. is conveyed; and E, the hopper, for containing the powder or other material for supplying the tubular braid.

The spout of the hopper is supported by the plate F, which is capable of adjustment upon the fixed bracket a. This plate F is provided with a series of perforations, arranged concentrically with the spout e of the .hopper E, as seen clearly in the detached view, Fig. 4. These perforations are for the purpose of directin g the strands in regular order from the ereels to the central hollow spindle, the number of such strands varying according to the required size and texture of the braid. When all of such perforations are not occupied by the different strands, care should be taken to distribute the strands employed equally around the plate.

Duplicate plates, with a varying number of perforations, may be constructed and substituted when required.

H represents a conical tube, (which may be constructed of any required size or diameter,) mounted upon an adjustable plate, h, attached to the fixed bracket to. This conical tube is arranged vertically within a socket or opening in the adjustable plate h, which is provided with a series of perforations arranged concentrically with said tube, for directing the strands intended for an additional or the external coating of the braid. The interior or bore of the tube H is made conical, as shown in Fig. 3, in

order to gradually contract the strands passing through, and insure a close and solid texture of the fabric previous to the subsequent braiding operation.

One or more strands of cotton-yarn or other suitable fibrous substance are passed through the cover or body of the hopper, and through the powder or other material contained therein, to the interior of the braid, and, as the completed braid is drawn downward, such strands prevent the spout from clogging, and thus a continuous train of powder is supplied within the braid.

Weights I are arranged upon the exterior of thehollow spindles G, for keeping the strands leading from the bobbins taut. The weights lrest upon keys 1', which pass through a slot, c", in the spindle and a perforation in the .wires 0.

v The strands leading from the bobbins d are .directed through two apertures in the fliers b, then through eyes in the droppers b, and

through eyes in the wires 0, from whence they pass, as usual, to the top of the spindles C and to the'top of the hollow central and adjustable spindle D.

The governors K K are-employed in pairs, and pivoted to the under side of the top and lg ottoin plates f f, respectively, as shown in Each governor consists of a three-armed lever, N, pivoted to the plate and fixed bracket 7. 0 represents a coiled spring placed between the bracket and lever, the object of which is to retain the lever in any desired position by the friction of said spring. A disk, M, is arranged and fixed 'upon the hollow centrals ,i dle D, to arrest any} owder or other mateij'ai that may escape from tlie'hopper The strands for forming the braid either in one" or more layers may be composed of any suitable substance adapted to the purpose to which the fuse may be applied, such as cotton, jute, hemp, or other vegetable or animal fibrous substance, and the same may be wholly made of, or interwoven wi th, or covered by, strands of wire.

- The material for forming the braidis wound upon creels arranged conveniently to the machine, as shown in Fig. 1. The strands are directed to the hollow central spindle, and as they pass into the said spindle the strands from the surrounding bobbins are braided therein by the well-known action of the same, and the completed fuse is conveyed downward through the hollow central spindle over the pulley L and draw-roller 1?, and is wound upon the removable swift It. Motion is communicated to the swift R by the, endless band r, or by other suitable means.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is j The stationary hollow spindle D, in combination with the conical tube H and perforated plate F, operating substantially as and for the purpose described.

. G. F. JAMES.

Witnesses:

J OHN G. WILSON, J OHN J. RoYLE. 

